The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as his knee conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran’s knee symptoms, while painful, did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent based on limitation of motion or instability. The evidence did not support reopening of service connection claims either.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia of the right knee, Patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19102315
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, except that it granted a 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee prior to September 28, 2018, and a 20 percent rating from that date. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected chondromalacia of both knees and entitlement to TDIU due to deficiencies in the prior VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including non-scarring residuals resulting from an umbilical hernia repair and knee and lumbar spine disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from December 31, 2013 to September 12, 2017. A separate rating of 10 percent for left knee instability is granted during this period.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.